Besides the well-known supermarkets in Luanda and the city’s “Janelas Abertas”, informal and formal selling points for bulk alcohol purchases, there are very few shops specializing in selling quality spirits. DDM’s new store, located in Talatona behind the NCR electronics shop and in close proximity to HCTA (Talatona Convention Hotel), fulfills the distribution market’s needs. According to Angola’s largest distribution company, “the concept of the DDM store (the first of many) was part of DDM Vice President Gareth Reynold’s vision of guaranteeing that DDM’s products are sold with a high level of service quality and at a recommended and standardized price.”

About DDM

DDM – Distribuidora de Mercadorias de Angola – serves over 7,000 direct clients in the Angolan market and owns 5 exclusive contracts out of a portfolio of over 27 global brands. The company distributes a various range of spirits, including whiskeys (old and new), cognacs, gins, vodka, champagnes, wines and even some food products, including biscuits and chocolates; it represents various globally renowned multinationalscompanies including Edrington, William Grant’ & Sons, Mondelez International, Remy Martin, Stoli Group, Laurent Perrier, Concha Y Toro, Henkel, and several others.

An entirely Angolan entity, DDM was founded over 20 years ago by Ralph Reynolds and is present as direct distributor in 9 provinces; however, through indirect distribution, it’s able to service the entire country.

The Store

DDM’s first dedicated store opened on December 15, 2015 with the aim of providing their clients with a new retail experience as they shop for the quality products in DDM’s exclusive distribution catalogue. All products at the shop are distributed exclusively by DDM.

Among the more well-known brands on sale here are The Famous Grouse, not only the n°1 whisky in the UK but also rated as the fourth standard blended whisky worldwide (according to the IWSR) and has been the best-selling whisky in the home of Scotch whisky, Scotland since 1980.; Grant’s, Cutty Sark, Remy Martin V.S.O.P., Hendrick’s, Stolichnaya, Frontera and Casillero del Diablo. Premium brands include the emblematic Louis XIII, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Elit by Stoli, Laurent Perrier and several others, including Don Melchior (rated by Forbes as one of the top 10 wines of 2015). As for prices, Helder Kiala, DDM’s Commercial Director, notes that “..our prices are very accessible when compared to the prices in supermarkets.” He goes on:

“DDM’s store is part of our future strategy that involves formalizing the economy and offering differentiated services directly to our consumer. We’re already preparing personalized services for our clients so as to guarantee that each and everyone of them feels like a unique one. These services will be announced soon to our customers.

There’s currently a promotion in place at the store: the first 100 purchases of at least 7,000 AKZ worth of DDM products will receive a bottle of The Famous Grouse; those that purchase a case of Frontera get an extra bottle of the wine free of charge.